Abbey discovers a world where art and tech collide

Year 10 Trafalgar High School student Abbey Stanway, an emerging artist, joined Scribblevision for a week’s work experience. Here’s her take on agency life – a world where art and tech collide. And, as she quickly learns, that’s a beautiful thing.

When I was first told that as part of our Year 10 curriculum we would have to complete a week’s worth of work experience, my original thought was “what on earth am I going to do?”

Despite having no clue and no plans for my future after school, my searches lead me to graphic design. Multiple phone calls and emails later, I had a placement at Scribblevision. When I walked in on day one, I had expected a busy, highly structured environment, which would be impossible to enjoy! However, the reality provided a pleasing contrast. What I did not expect was paper tossing, music playing, photo taking and M&Ms (all while actual work was getting done). And I never thought there would come a time where i willingly worked on a computer all day, yet here we are.

One of the first things I was asked during my time here was what my interests are. After I answered “art”, I brought in a pretty average folio made of photos taken on a phone placed in a word document.

I have always liked art; there was never a moment when I “started painting” as others often believe. 2015 has been a good year for my art: I won first place in the “youth art” category at the Tanjil Valley Art Show with an oversized charcoal drawing of an owl, selling three pieces in the process. Then I painted two gigantic canvases as commission pieces, finishing the year with the charcoal owl acquiring the People’s Senior Choice Award at the Trafalgar High School Biannual Art Show.

There was no need for a folio before this year. But after having completed VCE art units 1 and 2, I have realised there is more to art than just some paint on paper. There can be meaning in the elements of a piece that may influence a viewer’s thoughts and emotions, similar to how writers use words or film makers use effects. However, it is difficult to interpret or appreciate work displayed in a low-quality word document folio with thumbnail pictures taken by a Samsung. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to develop an improved digital folio during my time here.

When I wasn’t researching mugs and pens, making coffee or assisting with Christmas decorations, I was learning to use InDesign to create my folio. After being nothing but bitter towards computers, particularly programs like photoshop and indesign, I’m surprised how much I’ve enjoyed this work. Not only that, but I have begun developing skills and a folio which may be useful in the future when I decide what I want to do.